Staff Recommendations: With food like this, why NOT Go Raw?

Staff Recommends: Go Raw Original Super Cookies

When most people think of the Raw Food Diet, images of fresh fruit juice, heaping plates of carrot sticks, and detoxing wheatgrass shots spring to mind.

That's all well and good, but what about those of us who aren't quite so stringent, or who, perhaps, are simply looking for a healthier, more nutrient-dense snack -- just to tide us over between stalks of celery?

Enter Go Raw Super Cookies, a surprisingly sweet and crunchy cookie made from organic sesame seeds, organic coconut, and organic dates.

And that's all.

Meaning: no added "natural flavors" or preservatives. No added sugar (the dates provide enough as it is), and, for those of you with allergies, no gluten, dairy, eggs, etc.

Yum!

If you've ever tried a raw snack, perhaps a different brand, and found it lacking, trust me - this line is not like those. Instead of the slightly wilted-seeming, brown-bland-blah confections that you might know, Original Super Cookies give you crunch and a little pizazz, and, dare I say it - peace of mind. Especially if your mind happens to have a sweet tooth.

So that's why they're delicious. But why are they better for you?

Well -- it depends of who you ask, to be honest. Some would say there's no difference between a raw snack and a traditionally-processed version.

The Raw Food lifestyle is a giant clam to crack, and I'm not going to attempt it right now, but the basic belief is that raw (aka living foods, like fresh uncooked veggies and sprouted seeds and nuts) contain beneficial enzymes and nutrients that are destroyed when the foods are heated above a certain temperature. Raw Foodists claim a wide variety of health benefits from their diet, from increased vitality to weight loss, to shining hair and skin and the diminishing of a range of health problems.

There are a slew of websites you can check out if so interested. Living Foods is a mecca of information. Or you can check out Supercharge Me, a documentary about a woman who takes on the challenge of going 30 Days Raw.

Personally, I've experimented with raw foods living, and found mixed results. There was definitely an increased amount of energy, after an initial detoxing period. And I felt better -- less hungry, a little cleaner. But there were also times of lethargy, and still other times when I just didn't feel like chewing/sipping that shake made of kale and carrot juice for lunch.

But that's one person's experience, and I urge anyone interested to try it for themselves.

In the meantime, enjoy those cookies!

If anyone currently follows the raw lifestyle, or is experimenting with the diet, please let us know! I'd love to post some personal experiences aside from mine.

Email Us with your knowledge and opinions!